Split d handle



March 24,1931. v H R ER' 1 1,797,724

SPLIT D HANDLE Filed Aprii 6. 1929 j INVENTOR Patented Mar. 24, 193i VAUGHAN HORNER, F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA SPLIT D HANDLE Application filed April 6,

My invention consists of an improvement in split D wooden handles for shovels, spades, etc., having reinforced cross grips of the general class largely in common use. 1

The general object in View is to provide a metallic reinforcing and protecting clip, cap or bracket connection between the ends of the side arms and the connecting grip piece or handle of the'tool. Specifically, the improvement relates to means for so connecting the parts without rings or ferrules, utilizing a sheet. metal cap piece forming flush connection between the outer end portions of the gripand the cap, an inner unobstructed joint between'the wood of the grip and that of the side arms, the cap piece being so formed and connected as to prevent any turning of the grip bar or displacement of either of the connected parts, with other features of construction and advantage, as shall be more fully hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings showing one preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a face view in elevation of the com- 2J5 plete handle, partly in section;

Fig. 2 isan innerface view of the attaching face of the side arm with the reinforcing cap in position;

Fig. 3 is a view of the grip bar in elevation, detached; Fig. 4 is'an' end view of the grip bar; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line VV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cap piece, detached.

In the manufacture of tool handles of the split D type the main shank or stem 2 is split centrally for a distance sufiicient to provide for separation of the side arms 3 and insertion between their ends of the hand grip 4.

The main shank 2 is ordinarily provided with a cross rivet 5 beyond the end of the bifurcation producing the side arms, to prevent splitting, and the grip 4 is'ordinarily connected between the'enclosing ends of the side arms by a concentricor central cross rivet or bolt 6. The outer cap pieces A in their connected relation to the main parts constitute the present contribution to the art.

Such main elements are generally old and Serial No. 353,003.

as in prior patent British patent of Park et al. N 0. 10,003 of1908, the latter also disclosing the use of side straps connecting the cap piece by an additional rivet to the side arm. Park, and a later patent to Benton N 0. 1,443,863 also show means for preventing turning of the grip bar by use of lugs of ferrule-iike grip-embracing portions penetrating into sockets in the cylindrical surface of the grip bar. V

In my invention I utilize a form of cap piece A adapting it to fit around and cover the rounded outer ends of the side arms, having a rear extension 47 fitting around the part cylindrical or rounded outer portions of the side arms for attachment thereto by cross rivets 6 extending through the end of such are tension. The outer ends of the side arms are spherically rounded, conforming generally to the substantially cylindrical curvature of the grip 4, but not exactly so, and are held together by an eccentrically located cross rivet 12. The'outer face portion of the grip is preferably somewhat crowned, tapering sli 'htly inwardly towards the ends, as at 7.

@ap piece A, which is formed by die pressing or otherwise from a sheet metal blank, is conformably curved to fit around and over the entire outer rounded end'of the side arm by its cup-shaped outer'end portion 8. Each outer end portion of the grip 4, beyond the taper 7, is rebated for substantially the outer half of its circumference, as at 9, providing for embracing engagement thereof by the inwardly extended lip portion 10 of the cap piece.

Such lip portion, and also the rebate or shouldered off-set 9 of the grip, are so proportioned that they are of maximum width at the outer middle of the grip bar end, with relation to the line of contact between the end of the grip and the inner face of the side arm, as in Figs. 1 and 3.

The rebate preferably tapers in width at eachside towards the middle section of the grip bar end at oppositesides, and the interfittingedge or lip 10 of the cap piece tapers inwardly conformably, for snug flush engagement therewith, as shown.

The rounded surfaces of the cap piece and grip make a flush, smooth outer continuation of each other, and tapering surface 7 being shaped to finally conform with the cap by sand-papering or other finishing treatment.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the curvature of the upper edge of the cap and of rebate 9 is preferably not truly circular, but somewhat elliptical, so that any tendency of the grip to rotate on its cross connecting rivet 12, aside from the eccentric location of the rivet itself, is further counteracted and prevented.

The opposite ends of the grip bar are channelled or grooved transversely as at 11 somewhat beyond the normal axial center of the bar inwardly, and across the off-set longitudinal opening or bore hole for the main connecting rivet or bolt 12.

At each side of the cap piece are inwardly turned lugs or flanges 13, spaced apart for clearance of the cross rivet, and adapted to make shouldered engagement in the squared grooves 11 when the parts are assembled. Flanges or lugs 13 are each preferably provided with punched out projections 14 adapted to be 'driven'into the face of the bottom of the grooves 11, or to fit into previously formed holes therein, in assembling, as in Fig. 5.

lVhen the cap piece is fitted over the end of the side arm the flanges 13 he across its inner face, making tight embracing engage ment, so that the side arms and caps may be pressed or hammered inwardly, bringing the parts together, as in Fig. 1.

\Vhen the rivet 12 is then inserted through holes 15 of the caps and the registering openings in the ends of the side arm and through the grip bar, and riveted-in, the parts of the entire handle will be tightly and firmly connected and rigidly maintained in position. r

As shown, the full semi-cylindrical section of the side arms ism'aintained throughout their length, preferably without taper, thus utilizing the entire equally divided strength and body of the main shank, less the slight diminution due to preliminary slotting for separation. 7

The resulting handle is amply strong and substantial, with reinforcement against the usual strains of service, and having a smooth finished appearance and easily handled.

Outward pulling strains on the grip bar are transmitted to the side arms through the cross rivet connection with them and the cap, and by the outer lip engagement of the cap and the additional riveting of the cap to the side arms. The transverse flanges 13 having the socketed engagement across the ends of the gripbar and projection engagement into its ends by the punched out points 14 further brace and-maintain it against pulling,

' pushing, prying, or other strains.

The entire handle is comparatively simple in construction, economical of manufacture, and very durable and eflicient.

The proportions, dimensions, or other features of construction may be changed or varied by the skilled mechanic, but all such changes are to be understood as Within the scope of the following claims.

hat- I claim is:

1. A split D handle comprising a main stem having bifurcated side arms and an intervening grip bar having endmost recesses, a corner reinforcing and connecting cap fi ting over the end portion of each side arm and the grip bar and having a transverse rivet hole and inwardly extending portions engaging the recesses in the ends of the grip bar, the inner edge portion of the cap being eccentrically curved with relation to the rivet hole,

and a transverse connecting rivet extending through the caps, side arms, and grip bar.

2. A split D handle comprising a main stem having bifurcated side arms and an intervening grip bar provided with atransverse recess at each end, a corner reinforcing and connecting cap fitting over the endportion of each side arm and the grip bar and having an inner grip-bar-engaging edge portion extending by a variable radii curve around its top, inwardly extending side portions engaging the recesses 1n the ends of the grip bar, and means connecting the side arms, caps,

and grip bar.

3. A split D handle comprising a main stem having bifurcated side arms and an intervening grip bar provided with a transverse recess at each end, a corner reinforcing and connecting cap fitting over the end portion of eachside arm and the grip bar and having inwardly extending portions fitting into the recesses of the grip bar and provided with projections extending into the end surfaces thereof, and means connecting the side arms, caps, and grip bar.

1. A split D handle comprising a main stem having bifurcated side arms and an intervening grip bar provided with a transverse recess at each end, a corner reinforcing and connecting cap fitting over the end portions of each side arm and the grip bar and having an inner grip-bar-engaging edge portion extending by a variable radii curve around its top, inwardly turned flanges having roj ections engaging the recesses of the grip ar, and a connecting cross rivet extending through the caps, side arms, and grip bar.

5. In combination,bifurcated side arms and an intervening grip memberhaving ends provided with rebated variable radii curved outer edge portions, cap members covering the ends of the side arms having inwardly extending variable radii curved lip portions engaging over the rebated curved ends of the grip member, and a connecting rivet extending through the caps, side arms, and grip member.

6. In combination, bifurcated side arms and an lntervenlng grip member having var1able radii curved ends, cap members covering the ends of the side arms having inwardly extending variable radii curved portions engaging over the ends of the grip member, and a connecting rivet extending through the caps, side arms, and grip member and occupying an off-set position through said memher.

7. A reinforcing corner cap for split D handles consisting of a sheet metal shell having a part spherical outer end portion, proided with a variable radii curved edge, a part cylindrical side arm attaching portion, and inwardly extending grip engaging portions.

8. A reinforcing corner cap for split D handles consisting of a sheet metal shell having a part spherical outer end portion provided with a variable radii curved edge, a part cylindrical side arm attaching portion, and inwardly extending grip engaging portions provided with inwardly punched projections.

9. A reinforcing corner cap for split D handles consisting of a sheet metal shell having a part spherical outer end portion having a grip engaging variable radii curved edge and a rivet hole, a part cylindrical side arm extension of the end portion having a rivet hole, and grip engaging flanges extending inwardly from the opposite side edges of the cap.

10. A reinforcing corner cap for split D handles consisting of a sheet metal shell having a part spherical outer end portion having a grip engaging edge and a rivet hole, a part cylindrical side arm extension of the end portion having a rivet hole, and grip engaging flanges extending inwardly from the opposite side edges of the cap each provided with inwardly punched projections.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

VAUGHAN HORNER. 

